What does it mean to be ministered to?

[hopeinGod]

We often hear that such and such message or song "ministered to me", but just what does it mean to be ministered to?

Is it a feel good sensation? Is it God speaking to you? How do you define the phrase, "That ministers to me"?

Dave

 

[ARBITER01]

We often hear that such and such message or song "ministered to me", but just what does it mean to be ministered to?

Is it a feel good sensation? Is it God speaking to you? How do you define the phrase, "That ministers to me"?

Dave

To me,.. there is no other ministry to us except from The Holy Spirit. So when a person is truly operating by The Holy Spirit's leading and power, we shall be edified and cleansed.

When a person is not, it will be missing those two qualities, no matter how loud or active they are before us.

 

[tobethebest]

I agree with Arbitero1. The Bible is just a book of words, just like any other book, until it is breathed on by God. Then it's an entirely different text. How many times I have read through certain passages only to push my way through them one more time and bingo, God breathes on it. It's then that those verses are no longer a bother to read. It is then that I am being "ministered to."

Anytime God breathes on anything around me, it's great !! I have to be careful to keep a balance though. Been there, done that. I can get far too addicted to the presence of God and want nothing else. Please create in me a clean heart, renew in me a right spirit and teach me your word above all else........... that is ministering to me. Denny

 

[Markus6]

It's Christianese for "speaks to me" or "resonates with me". We can find messages and songs that are very relevant to our current situation. Sometimes that is because the preacher or song writer was sharing our experience. Sometimes it is because God uses the preacher or song writer to give us a word. However, I don't think we should seek this "ministering" in either the teaching we listen to or our music because it can to easily turn into seeking an experience before seeking God.

 

[Tamara224]

It's Christianese for "speaks to me" or "resonates with me". We can find messages and songs that are very relevant to our current situation. Sometimes that is because the preacher or song writer was sharing our experience. Sometimes it is because God uses the preacher or song writer to give us a word. However, I don't think we should seek this "ministering" in either the teaching we listen to or our music because it can to easily turn into seeking an experience before seeking God.

That about sums it up. People will usually say "that ministered to me" when someone says something they agree with. They rarely say it when a message convicts them or disagrees with their own personal ideology/theology. Well... many holiness types will say it when it convicts them - some people don't think a sermon was any good unless they leave feeling guilty - but again, that doesn't disagree with their own personal ideology.

 

[loved33]

there is the christian speak..yeah i agree..with the above..which means..it was spot on for me.

but for me to be really ministered to...i learn something new about Jesus as a person...i realise something new about Him. loads of things are therapeutic..but that s what really ministers..Him known..blissfull!

 

[map4]

For me, with songs, sometimes it depends on who is doing the singing. There are some songs that really do minister to me, touch me, however you say it. But that same song can be sung by someone else and it doesn't affect me in the same way.

Sometimes I read something or someone says something and it 'speaks to me'. It's like, yeah, that's it!
Same thing with scriptures. I can read the same one over and over, then one day, depending on what I'm going through, a whole different aspect of truth comes alive for me.

The Holy Spirit shows us what we need to know. I believe it can sometimes be through songs, other people, preachers. Along with scriptures and Him speaking inwardly to us.

As far as being convicted during a sermon, I don't feel guilty. The Holy Spirit doesn't condemn us. He doesn't bring guilt. But He will show areas we need to change. And I usually leave feeling encouraged to change. Not 'guilted' into it. It's a freeing thing, not bondage. And I don't mind telling others 'I needed to hear that'.